PHOENIX >> Hyun-Jin Ryu threw a bullpen session here Tuesday and could return to the Dodgers rotation as early as Sunday.

Ryu, who is eligible to come off the disabled list on Friday, said he experienced no pain on Tuesday but wouldn’t commit to if he felt he would be activated.

“I’m very positive,” Ryu said through an interpreter. “Every day I’ve gotten better than the day before, so that’s a good sign.”

The Dodgers need good signs when it comes to their starting rotation, and Ryu’s seemingly impending activation would be just that, although Ryu was noncommital on when he thought he would come off the disabled list.

Another factor is that rosters expand Monday, meaning no move would be necessary to activate Ryu.

The Dodgers’ rotation has been cobbled together on the back end with injuries to Paul Maholm, Josh Beckett and then Ryu’s strained right gluteus muscle that sidelined him.

Asked how difficult it’s been not being able to help the team, Ryu said being on the disabled list was “boring.”

Clayton Kershaw pitches Wednesday in Arizona, and the Dodgers are off Thursday before three games in San Diego. Don Mattingly said Dan Haren will pitch Friday and Zack Greinke on Saturday. The Dodgers have yet to schedule a starter for Sunday.

Big League reception

The Jackie Robinson West Little League team Carl Crawford sponsored, which is from Chicago, lost Sunday to South Korea in the final of the Little League World Series, but Crawford still was beaming Tuesday for all the team accomplished.

“I’m extremely excited and grateful for all the attention they got,” Crawford said of the all-black, inner-city all-star team. “They feel they’ll be back.”

He has yet to talk to players since the Little League World Series ended, but Crawford plans on staying connected with the team. The Dodgers happen to have a four-game series against the Cubs in Chicago, Sept 18-21.

“For me, it’s a bonding thing doing something like this,” Crawford said. “I’m hoping to see them in person in Chicago. This isn’t just a one-year thing for me.”

Also

Dodgers shortstop prospect Corey Seager will play in the Arizona Fall League. Other Dodgers prospects to play in the Arizona Fall League are outfielder Scott Schebler, pitcher Michael Thomas and infielder/outfielder Darnell Sweeney. … Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson was named the Pacific Coast League’s rookie of the year on Tuesday. Pederson is the first player in 80 years to have a 30-30 season in the PCL. Pederson has 32 home runs and 30 stolen bases for Triple-A Albuquerque … The Dodgers announced that they signed two international outfielders, 24-year-old Cuban Yadir Drake and Federico Giordani, a 16-year-old from Italy.

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